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Alternative workweek: is it worth the trouble?

Article Excerpt
Several years ago, the California legislature passed a law that permitted employers who followed certain guidelines, to allow employees to work "alternative workweek schedules" which exceeded eight hours in one day, without having to pay overtime. In theory, the alternative workweek is a great idea for many employers and certain employees. But, is it worth the trouble?

Labor Code section 500(c) defines alternative workweek as any regularly scheduled workweek requiring an employee to work more than 8 hours in a 24-hour period. Alternative workweeks only apply to non-exempt employees. They do not apply to exempt employees because properly classified exempt employees are ineligible for overtime pay.

An alternative workweek is often confused with a flex work schedule. Flex work schedules simply permit employees to start and end their respective shifts at varying times during the day. Employees who work a flex schedule can earn overtime just as any employee who works a set schedule. Most importantly, flex schedules can be implemented at any time.

An alternative workweek, however, can eliminate the requirement of paying...

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